Portable card reader and card settlement system

ABSTRACT

In this invention a portable credit card reader device for a home delivery service provide a system to settle amount money for merchandise by a credit card immediately.  
     The portable card reader device ( 22 ) performs storing credit card inquiry information and freight information of plurality of consumers that exist in certain delivery area at the hard disk ( 54 ), reading information of settlement credit card for settlement by the card reader ( 47 ), and inputting the method of payment for the amount money for merchandise by the keyboard ( 51 ) when the merchandise is handed to a consumer, performing credit inquiry based on the stored credit card inquiry information of the plurality of the consumer and the read settlement card information of above said consumer at a control unit ( 55 ), and settling the amount money for the merchandise according to freight information when the settlement credit card is valid as a result of credit card inquiry.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a portable pay-by-card reader device and itspayment system for home delivery service that can settle a payment whena consumer receives merchandise by home delivery contractor.

BACKGROUND ART

Upon the rapid progress of information technology, it is said that thedemands of home delivery service have been expanding by transfigurationof communication, such as an Internet, between consumer and merchant.

For example, a consumer can shop on virtual Internet shopping mallestablished on the Internet web site by personal computer and ordersmerchandise to be delivered to him/her.

When the merchandise delivered, the consumer pays the amount of money bycash.

However, the consumer needs to have exact amount of money to pay at adoor when the merchandise delivered. It could happen that if he/shedoesn't have cash at that time and the payment cannot be settled then.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the foregoingproblem, and an object of thereof is to provide a prompt payment systemand pay-by-card system by a portable card reader device that can offerconsumer to settle the amount by card instantly when they received themerchandise by home delivery service.

The gist of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem bya portable card reader and pay-by-card system are as follows. Theportable card reader carried by home delivery contractor, who isresponsible to deliver merchandise to the consumer located in certaindesignated delivery area is the device means for; settling the amount ofmoney of the merchandise; memorizing credit inquiry information andfreight information of plurality of consumers within above saiddesignated delivery area; reading information out of a settlement cardfor use in settlement by the consumer upon delivery of the merchandiseto the consumer; inputting payment method for the merchandise;performing a credit inquiry based on the above said memorized creditcard inquiry information and by the above said read information out of asettlement card; and settling the amount of the payment regarding to thefreight information when a result of the settlement credit inquiry isvalid.

The gist includes a settling method for performing settlement ofmerchandise by the portable card reader device, wherein it receivescredit inquiry regarding to plurality of consumers who exist withincertain delivery area from each the settlement server at the credit cardcompany, that memorizing credit inquiry information of plural ofconsumer and sending credit inquiry when it is necessary, home deliverymanagement server, that stores freight information of puerility offreight, at the home delivery contractor to send freight informationwhen it is necessary, settlement server of credit card company at homedelivery service shop through a wireless communication line, thecommunication terminal that receiving freight information regarding tothe above said plurality of the consumer sent from the home deliverymanagement server at the home delivery contractor through wirelesscommunication line, it receives and stores credit inquiry and freightinformation regarding to plurality of consumers who exist within certaindelivery area from above said communication terminal, it reads creditcard information on the settlement credit card for settlement, andinputs the method of the payment when the merchandise is handed to theconsumer, it performs settlement based on the stored credit inquiry ofthe plurality of consumers and read out credit card information forsettlement, settle the amount money for the merchandise included in thefreight information when the settlement information is valid as a creditinquiry result.

In the addition, the characterization of another credit card settlementsystem includes for connecting the portable credit card reader, whichcan read information on the credit card, and home delivery managementserver of delivery service contractor by wireless communication line;for each delivery, sending a card information that is read by portablecard reading device to sever of the credit card company performing thesettlement in the card settlement system of wireless communication linebetween the home delivery management server and server of the creditcard company performing the settlement; obtaining credit inquiry of thiscard through sever of the credit card company performing the settlementby the portable card reader device, and according to above creditinquiry, settling by the credit card when the credit card is valid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a pay-by-card system for a home deliveryservice according to the first embodiment of present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a structure of a portable card reader device22.

FIG. 3 is a view of showing a structure of keyboard 51 on the portablecard reader device 22.

FIG. 4 is a view of a structure showing a server 37 of the credit cardcompany performing the settlement.

FIG. 5 is a view of the structure showing a home delivery managementserver 39 of the home delivery contractor.

FIG. 6 is a view of the structure showing database of storage in astorage unit 87 on the home delivery management server 39.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the credit card readerdevice 22.

FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing exchanging information between eachdevice to settle of the card account.

FIG. 9 is view (A)˜(E) showing a change on indicated indication screenon a display 59.

FIG. 10 is a credit sales slip 93 printing out of a printer 61.

FIG. 11 is view (A)˜(C) showing a change on the indication screen on thedisplay 59.

FIG. 12 is a daily list 97 printing out of the printer 61.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a pay-by-card system for a home deliveryservice according to the second embodiment of present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sequence chart showing exchanging information between eachdevice to settle of the card account according to the second embodimentof present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a structure of a portable card reader deviceaccording to the second embodiment of present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of a credit card readerdevice 11.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a structure of database of storage in astorage unit 88 on a home delivery management server 12.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The gist of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem bya portable card reader and pay-by-card system are as follows. Theportable card reader device carried by home delivery contractor, who isresponsible to deliver merchandise to the consumer located in certaindesignated delivery area is means for: settling the amount of money ofthe merchandise; memorizing both credit inquiry information and freightinformation of plurality of consumers within above said designateddelivery area; reading information out of a settlement card for use insettlement by the consumer upon delivery of the merchandise to theconsumer; inputting payment method for the merchandise; performing acredit inquiry based on the above said memorized credit card inquiryinformation and by the above said read information out of a settlementcard; and settling the amount of the payment regarding to the freightinformation when a result of the settlement credit inquiry is valid.

Moreover, the gist including the portable card reader device is meansfor issuing receipt based on the information on the price for themerchandise when a result of the credit inquiry from the server isvalid.

In the addition, the gist including the portable card reader device ismeans for printing receipt with a method of payment such as a lump-sumpayment, installment plan payment, and revolving payment when one of themethod of payment chosen

Additionally, the gist includes means for printing receipt with thenumber of times for the payment such as a lump-sum payment, installmentplan payment, and revolving payment based on the inputted information bythe printing receipt mean.

Moreover, the gist includes means for printing receipt including list ofthe total number and total amount of a lump-sum payment, installmentplan payment, and revolving payment as a daily list of plural ofconsumers.

To solve the above said problem, the gist includes the means for storingcredit inquiry that includes black list that indicates credit cardnumber of unacceptable credit card user, and means for preventingunacceptable credit card includes generating unacceptable cardinformation when the credit card number of unacceptable credit card userbased on the above said memorized credit card inquiry informationmatches the credit card number of consumer who is receiving merchandiseand settling the amount of money.

According to present invention, the pay-by-card portable reading devicememorizing credit inquiry and freight information of plural consumer ofcertain designated delivery area, when hand the merchandise to consumerreading information on the credit card, inputting the payment method,performing credit inquiry based on memorized credit inquiry informationof plural consumer and information on the settling card, when the creditcard is valid, consumer is able to settle the payment based on thefreight information by credit card for the merchandise which isdelivered by home delivery service. As a result, a consumer who orderedmerchandise enjoys convenience and security by using credit card tosettle the payment without having cash in advance for the merchandisethat will be delivered.

The gist includes a settling method for performing settlement ofmerchandise by the portable card reader device, wherein it receivescredit inquiry regarding to plurality of consumers who exists withincertain delivery area from each the settlement server at the credit cardcompany, that memorizing credit inquiry information of plural ofconsumer and sending credit inquiry when it is necessary, home deliverymanagement server, that stores freight information of puerility offreight, at the home delivery contractor to send freight informationwhen it is necessary, settlement server of credit card company at homedelivery service shop through a wireless communication line, thecommunication terminal that receiving freight information regarding tothe above said plurality of the consumer sent from the home deliverymanagement server at the home delivery contractor through wirelesscommunication line, it receives and stores credit inquiry and freightinformation regarding to plurality of consumers who exist within certaindelivery area from above said communication terminal, it reads creditcard information on the settlement credit card for settlement, andinputs the method of the payment when the merchandise is handed to theconsumer, it performs settlement based on the stored credit inquiry ofthe plurality of consumers and read out credit card information forsettlement, settle the amount money for the merchandise included in thefreight information when the settlement information is valid as a creditinquiry result.

The gist includes the method when handing the merchandise to consumerand payment completed, memorizing the credit inquiry information andfreight information of the consumer as an settled information, andsending the memorized settled information to above said communicationdevice, that sends received settled information from portable cardreading device to server of the credit company performing the settlementand home delivery management server of home delivery contractor bywireless communication line.

Above the gist of above said portable card reader device includesdeleting settlement information stored at the above said means forsettlement information memory after sending the settlement informationstored at the above said means for settlement information memory to theabove said communication terminal.

According to the present invention that settling method for performingsettlement of merchandise by the portable card reader device, canprovides wherein it receives credit inquiry regarding to plurality ofconsumers who exists within certain delivery area from each thesettlement server at the credit card company, that memorizing creditinquiry information of plural of consumer and sending credit inquirywhen it is necessary, home delivery management server, that storesfreight information of puerility of freight, at the home deliverycontractor to send freight information when it is necessary, settlementserver of credit card company at home delivery service shop through awireless communication line, the communication terminal that receivingfreight information regarding to the above said plurality of theconsumer sent from the home delivery management server at the homedelivery contractor through wireless communication line, it receives andstores credit inquiry and freight information regarding to plurality ofconsumers who exist within certain delivery area from above saidcommunication terminal, it reads credit card information on thesettlement credit card for settlement, and inputs the method of thepayment when the merchandise is handed to the consumer, it performssettlement based on the stored credit inquiry of the plurality ofconsumers and read out credit card information for settlement, settlethe amount money for the merchandise included in the freight informationwhen the settlement information is valid as a credit inquiry result tosettle the amount money for the merchandise delivered by home deliveryservice by credit card.

As a result, a consumer who ordered merchandise enjoys convenience andsecurity by using credit card without having cash in advance for themerchandise that will be delivered.

In addition, a characterization of another credit card settlement systemincludes for connecting the portable credit card reader, which can readinformation on the credit card, and home delivery management server ofdelivery service contractor by wireless communication line; for eachdelivery, sending a card information that is read by portable cardreading device to sever of the credit card company performing thesettlement in the card settlement system of wireless communication linebetween the home delivery management server and server of the creditcard company performing the settlement; obtaining credit inquiry of thiscard through sever of the credit card company performing the settlementby the portable card reader device, and according to above creditinquiry, settling by the credit card when the credit card is valid.

First embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a credit card settlement system according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, potable card reader device 22 that carried by homedelivery service contractor can be connected with communication device23 through by communication cable 25.

Also, communication line 35 includes telephone line, ISDN line, andInternet is connected with communication terminal 23 such as personalcomputer that is located at home delivery service shop B that isresponsible for area B, server of the credit company performing thesettlement 37, and server of the home delivery management at the homedelivery contractor 39.

Moreover, server of the home delivery management at the home deliverycontractor 39 contains a storage unit 87 that is stored freightinformation including address code, tracing code, money amount formerchandise, and merchandise classification. This freight information isfrom several home delivery pick up points from at all over the country.

On the other hand, server of the credit card company performing thesettlement 37 located at credit company contains storage unit 73 that isstored credit inquiry information such as credit card number of cardholder, expiration date, and address code as a database.

Moreover, portable credit card reader device 22 can connect tocommunication terminal 23 located at home delivery service shop B, andinstall credit card inquiry information from credit card company andfreight information from home delivery contractor.

Next step, as shown in FIG. 2, portable credit reader device 22 iscomposed of an IC card I/F (interface) unit 45, a card reader 47, a penreader 49, a keyboard 51, a memory unit 53, a hard disk 54, a controlunit 55, a cable I/F unit 57, a display 59, and a printer 61.

An IC card used for electronic money can be connected to the IC card I/Funit 45. The card reader 47 reads magnetic information recorded on acredit card, such as a card number, expiration date, the name of thecredit card company and like. The pen reader 49 reads a tracing code outof a bar code written on a freight slip. The keyboard 51 inputs textinformation. The memory unit 53 includes an internal RAM for storing inadvance terminal number unique to each portable reader device 22 and forstoring control data.

The hard disk 54 is able to store freight information of each deliveryand card information of each card. The control unit 55 includes aninternal timer for clocking date and hour, and controls the respectiveunits provided in the portable card reader device. The cable I/F unit 57performs communication of information with the communication terminalthrough the communication cable 25. The display 59 displays inputtedcontents and messages. The printer 61 prints a receipt upon completionof settlement by card.

Then, a control program is read out the memory unit 53 into the controlunit 55 by turning on a power switch (not shown) provided on theportable card reader device 22, and operation guidance screen isdisplayed on the display, for example. Accordingly, the home deliverycontractor swipes a credit card through a credit card reader 47 to readthe credit card data out, and the money amount for the merchandiserepresenting the price for the merchandise, and the merchandiseidentification number are inputted with the keyboard 51. The addresstracing code is read out of the bar code by use of the pen reader 49,and the credit card number is inputted with the keyboard 51.

Thereafter, the terminal identification number of the portable cardreader device 22 being store in the memory unit 53 in advance read out,and credit card data such as the credit card number, the expirationdate, and the money amount for the merchandise, the merchandiseclassification number, the tracing code, and the authentication numberare formed into a batch of terminal collected information, and then theterminal collected information is transmitted from the cable I/F unit 57to the communication terminal 23.

When credit card inquiry information has been made based on in advanceinstalled plural credit card inquiry information by portable card readerdevice, printer 61 achieves the function of printing a receipt with thetracing code of merchandise, the credit card company, the money amountfor the merchandise, method of payment, and number of payment.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a keyboard 51 set on portable card readerdevice 22 composed of [select] key PF1˜PF5, [reprint] key, [paper feed]key, [light] key, [power] key, [mode key], [reset] key, [set] key,[settlement] key, [correction] key, and [number] key.

[Select] key PF1˜PF5 performs choosing action mode that is a changeoverto a display 59. [Reprint] key performs reprinting a transaction slip,total slip and like immediately before these printed. [Paper feed] keyperforms feeding paper out of a printer 61. [Light] key performslighting up the display 59 and a key that inputted. [Power] key performsturning on/off the power when display shows a mode choice screen orinput password display.

[Mode] key performs changing action mode. [Reset] key performs returningback to initial mode display. [Set] key is to complete inputting towardguidance screen of the display 59. [Settlement] key is to complete forseries of operation. [Correction] key is to clear data immediatelybefore inputted. [Number] key is to input number of payment forinstallment plan and like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, settlement server 37 at credit card companycomposed of plural communication processing units 63, a communicationcontrol unit 65, a control unit 71, a display control unit 64, a displayunit 66, a keyboard 67, and a storage unit 73.

The communication processing units 63 perform communication ofinformation among commination terminal 23 through communication lines35. The communication control unit 65 controls the plurality ofcommunication processing units 63. The control unit 71 includes aninternal time for clocking date and hour, and control the respectiveunits provided settlement server 37. The display 64 performs display ona display 66 the information from communication terminal 23 andinformation that stored at a storage unit 73. The keyboard performsinputting information in the control unit 71. The storage unit 73 storesinformation such as invalid credit card number as a blacklist, creditcard number and expiration date as credit inquiry for each consumer, andaccount information of financial institution of each consumer as adatabase.

When the settlement server 37 at the credit card company receives accessrequest from the communication terminal 23, the settlement server 37send information, that is corresponding to plural address code that homedelivery service shop B is responsible, such as credit inquiryinformation including blacklist out of database (not shown) through thecommunication line 35 to communication terminal 23.

Moreover, the settlement server receives settlement information from thecommunication terminal 23. The storage unit 73 at settlement server 37stores the unique identification number, method of payment, the tracingcode, the money amount for the merchandise, merchandise classificationinformation, credit card number and expiration date are formed into abatch of terminal collected information as a delivered freightsettlement consumer information of area that home delivery service shopB is responsible. Moreover, the settlement server 37 at credit cardcompany research and extract consumer and credit card number out ofsettlement information, and charged amount as an installment plan andrevolving plan payment into consumer's contracted financial instituteaccount.

For information, revolving plan payment is a method to be charged fixedamount into the consumer's contracted bank account every month no matterhow much the merchandise is.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the home delivery management server 39 iscomposed of communication processing units 75, a communication controlunit 77, a control unit 79, a display control unit 81, a display unit83, a keyboard 85, and a storage unit 87.

The communication processing units 75 perform communication ofinformation among commination terminal 23 through communication lines35. The communication control unit 77 controls the plurality ofcommunication processing units 75. The control unit 79 includes aninternal time for clocking date and hour, and control the respectiveunits provided settlement server 39. The display control unit 81performs display on a display 83 the information from communicationterminal 23 and information that stored at a storage unit 87. Thedisplay unit 83 displays information out of the display control unit 81.The keyboard 85 performs inputting. The storage unit 87 storesinformation such as transaction information, terminal information, andaccount information as a database.

Also, the database stored at the storage unit 87 includes; transactioninformation includes tracing code to show management number of themerchandise, money amount for merchandise, merchandise classification,and address code; card information such as credit card companyinformation; terminal information such as terminal identification numberof portable card reader device carried by home delivery servicecontractor; and account information such as transaction content andcredited amount as shown in FIG. 6.

The home delivery management server 39 at home delivery contractorstores freight information from plural home delivery pickup point allover the country such as address code, tracing code, money amount formerchandise, and merchandise classification at the storage unit 87 as adatabase.

When the home delivery management server 39 receives access request fromthe communication terminal 23, the settlement server 39 sendinformation, that is corresponding to plural address code that homedelivery service shop B is responsible, out of database in the storageunit 87 through the communication line 35 to communication terminal 23.

Moreover, the home delivery management server 39 receives settlementinformation from the communication terminal 23 and stores the uniqueidentification number, method of payment, the tracing code, the moneyamount for the merchandise, the merchandise classification information,the credit card number and expiration date are formed into a batch ofterminal collected information as a delivered freight settlementconsumer information of area that home delivery service shop B isresponsible.

Moreover, the home delivery management server 39 confirms whether thefreight has been delivered to the consumer based on tracing code out ofsettlement information, and after that, sends an account information outof settlement information to the settlement server 37 at credit cardcompany for claiming delivery commission.

Next, description will be made regarding operation of the pay-by-cardsystem for a home delivery service according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention with reference to flowchart shown in FIG. 7 andsequence shown in FIG. 8. Note that the flowchart of the portable cardreader device shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the control unit 55 as aprogram.

(1) Sequence on Pickup

A home delivery service contractor needs to make contracts with pluralcredit card companies for a membership in advance. Also, home deliverycontractor need to make merchandise price collection consignmentcontract for home delivery contracts with corporative or private sellersfor surrogate money collection business for merchandise. Now, forexample, the consumer specifies and orders with the seller themerchandise that the consumer wishes to purchase, the merchandise sellermakes a request to the home delivery contractor with whom themerchandise seller has entered into the merchandise price collectionconsignment contract for home delivery, to deliver the orderedmerchandise to the home of the consumer. To put it concretely, the homedelivery contractor confirm the delivery address on the freight slip onmerchandise, and write the address code specified by delivery addressbeforehand. Then read bar code that shows written in advance tracingcode on the freight slip by PDT (Portable Data Terminal), input addresscode, amount money for the merchandise and merchandise classification,and collect merchandise from merchandise seller to home delivery pickuppoint A.

At the home delivery pickup point, sort merchandise according to theaddress code on the freight slip and load a track heading to homedelivery service shop B. At the same time, connect portable terminal PDTwith a communication terminal at home delivery pickup point, andtransfer the freight information including address code corresponding toeach collected plural of merchandise, tracing code, amount money for themerchandise and merchandise classification to the communicationterminal.

As a result, the home delivery management server 39 stores freightinformation from home delivery pickup point all over the country such asaddress code, tracing code, amount money for the merchandise andmerchandise classification at the storage unit 87 as a database.

After the truck loading the merchandise arriving at home deliveryservice shop B, again, the merchandise is reloaded into another trackthat is responsible for delivery area.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication terminal 23 at home deliveryservice shop B obtains freight information and credit inquiryinformation of delivery area.

Videlicet, in sequence S10, the communication terminal 23 send obtainingfreight information with address code of delivery area to the homedelivery management server 39 at home delivery contractor through thecommunication line 35.

In sequence S20, the home delivery management server 39 receiving accessrequest from the communication terminal 23 reads freight informationcorresponding to plural address code of home delivery service shop B'sdelivery area out of the storage unit 87, and send that from thecommunication processing unit 75 to the communication terminal 23through the communication line 35. As a result, freight information ofdelivery area of home delivery service shop B is stored at hard disk(not shown) on the communication terminal 23.

In sequence S30, the communication line 23 sends obtaining freightinformation with address code of delivery area to the settlement server37 at credit card company through the communication line 35.

In sequence S40, the settlement server 37 that receiving the accessrequest from the communication terminal 23 read credit inquiryinformation corresponding to plural address code of home deliveryservice shop B's delivery area out of the database (not shown), and sendthat to the communication terminal 23 through the communication line 35.

As a result, credit inquiry information such as credit company blacklist, card number, and expiration date of credit card holder existingcertain area within home delivery service shop B delivery area is storedat hard disk (not shown) on the communication terminal 23. Moreover, theprinter 24 connected with the communication terminal 23 print outdelivery list of merchandise regarding to each designated trackdepending on the delivery area.

(2) Sequence for Delivery Preparation

Next, Connect the communication terminal 23 at the home delivery serviceshop and the portable card reader device 22 through the communicationcable 25, and in sequence S50, send the access request with address codeof specified responsible delivery area only to the communicationterminal 23 through the communication cable 25 to obtain freightinformation and credit inquiry of said portable card reader devicedelivery area

In sequence S60, the communication terminal 23 that receiving accessrequest from the portable card reader device 22 read freight informationand credit inquiry information corresponding to address code of accessrequest out of database of the communication terminal 23, and send tothe portable card reader device 22. As a result, freight information andcredit inquiry information of specified delivery area stores at a harddisk 54 on the portable card reader device 22.

(3) Portable Card Reader Device Performance on Delivery

The delivery man who is responsible for one of specified area ofplurality of delivery area of home delivery service shop B reloadsdesignated merchandise addressed to said delivery area into a track, andhe/she carries the portable card reader devices that stored the freightinformation and the credit inquiry information of said delivery area.And he/she drives to the receiver's address referring to the deliverylist.

Then the delivery man delivers the merchandise, and the consumer givescredit card to him/her.

The detail of the performance of the portable card reader device 22 andsequence of delivery will be explained as below referring to FIG. 7flowchart.

In the step K10, the home delivery contractor reads the tracing code ofthe merchandise out of the bar code written on the part of the tag byuse of the pen reader 49. And this tracing code is temporarily storedfrom the control unit 55 into the internal RAM of the memory unit 53.

In the step K20, search whether there is correspond tracing code to thesaid tracing code among plural freight information stored at the harddisk 54.

Now, in the step K30, judge either whether there is corresponded tracingcode at the hard disk 54 at step K20, and whether there is, go to stepK40. On the other hand, whether there is not stored the tracing code offreight, all performance comes to the end.

In the step K40, read the amount money for the merchandise andmerchandise classification of said correspond tracing code amongplurality of freight information stored at the hard disk 54, and displayon the display 59. As a result, merchandise classification, slip numbershowing tracing code, amount price for merchandise are displayed on theindication screen 91A on the display 59 in FIG. 9 (A). At the same time,[press set key] is shown as guidance information.

Then, in the step K50, when home delivery contractor presses [set] keyon the keyboard 51, method of the payment such as a lump-sum payment,revolving payment, installment plan payment, bonus month payment, bonusmonth and installment plan payment will be displayed on the indicationscreen 91B on the display 59 in FIG. 9 (B), and the same time, guidanceinformation [choose the method of the payment] will be indicated to makeconsumer choose method of payment from payment plans. Then, assumingthat the home delivery contractor asks consumer the method of thepayment and the consumer answers the choice of method of the payment.

In the step K60, one of the methods of the payment on the display 59 hasbeen chosen and inputted it by pressing [select] key on the keyboard 51.In the addition, owing to circumstances to explain this system, assumingthe consumer answer home delivery contractor and home deliverycontractor chooses and presses [installment payment plan] key.

When home delivery contractor presses the PF3 key on the keyboard 51,input screen is displayed on the indication screen 91C on the display 59in FIG. 9 (C). Then assuming that the home delivery contractor asksconsumer for number of the installment payment, for example, if [tentimes] is the consumers answer, and then home delivery contractor inputit by pressing [number] key on the keyboard 51. Moreover, assuming thatthe home delivery contractor asks the initial amount of money of theinstallment plan payment, as shown in FIG. 9 (D), and inputs the initialamount of money of the installment plan payment [1234567] as acorresponding consumer's answer by pressing the [number] key on thedisplay 51 for example.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9 (E), displayed [press the settlement key] asguidance information, and makes the home delivery contractor choosepressing settlement key. When the home delivery contractor presses the[settlement] key on the keyboard 51, go for next step K70.

In the step K70, the card reader 47 reads credit card information, suchas card number, expiration date and like, that is recorded on the card20 to identify the member, and terminal identification number, method ofthe payment, tracing code, amount money for the merchandise, merchandiseclassification, card number, expiration date and like are temporarilystored from the control unit 55 into the internal RAM of the memory unit53.

In the step K80, in order to check credit inquiry whether the pluralityof credit inquiry stored at portable card reader device 22, the controlunit 55 searches whether there is credit card number coincide withplurality of consumers' credit inquiry including credit card number,expiration date stored at hard disk 54. And also, judge whether theconsumer still make a contract with the credit card company of saidcredit card and either whether it is still valid credit card or not.Then, the control unit 55 makes verification information including validcredit card information for use when the credit card contract is valid,and on the other hand, the control unit 55 makes verificationinformation (result of credit standing inquiry) including invalid creditcard information when the credit card contract regarding to the consumeris not valid. In addition, in credit inquiry operation in the step K80,the control unit 55 makes invalid credit card information to avoidaccepting invalid credit card when the credit card number of theconsumer and credit inquiry information including the appointed creditcard number of plurality of black list matches.

Now, in the step K90, check based on the verification informationwhether this credit card company is valid or not. Thus, in the case theverification information contains valid credit card information, thecredit card company is available, so go on the step K100. On thecontrary, when verification information contains invalid credit cardinformation, the credit card company is unavailable, so go on step K120.

When credit card company is available, in the step K100, the controlunit 55 performs the information temporally stored at the internal RAMof the memory unit 53 such as terminal identification number, method ofpayment, tracing code, the amount money for merchandise, merchandiseclassification, credit card number, and like forming into a batch ofterminal collected information regarding to the merchandise as thesettlement information from the control unit 55 to the hard disk 54.

Then, in the step K110, control unit 55 performs reading tracing code,credit card company, amount money for merchandise, method of payment,number of installment plan payment, and like out of the memory unit 53,adding the day and time for delivery from a timer, making receiptinformation showing the settlement of the merchandise is done, andinputting receipt information to the printer 61 to print out thereceipt.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the printer 61 prints out credit cardsales slip 93 as a receipt. There are payment classification showingmethod of payment, number of the payment for the installment planpayment, merchandise classification, slip number showing tracing code,amount money for merchandise, signature section, and like recorded onthe credit card sales slip 93.

At the same time, the operation of the portable card reader device 22ends. The printed receipt is torn from the printer 61 by home deliverycontractor and handed in to the consumer.

Meanwhile, when the credit card company is unavailable, the control unit55 read message [This credit card company is unavailable] out of thememory unit 53, and indicates error display on the display 59. At thesame time, the control unit 55 deletes credit card informationtemporally stored at the internal RAM of the memory unit 53such asconsumer's credit card number, expiration date, and complete theoperations

As explained above, the portable card reader device 22 performsincluding method for performing settlement of merchandise by theportable card reader device performs storing credit inquiry and freightinformation regarding to plurality of consumers who exist within certaindelivery area at the hard disk 54, reading out card information of thesettlement credit card for settlement by the card reader 47 andinputting the method of the payment by keyboard 51 when the merchandiseis handed to the consumer, performing settlement at the control unit 55based on the stored credit inquiry of the plurality of consumers andread out credit inquiry information for settlement, and settling theamount money for the merchandise included in the freight informationwhen the settlement information is valid as a credit inquiry result tosettle the amount money for merchandise delivered by the home deliverycontractor.

Moreover, the receipt that shows the payment for merchandise is settledcan be printed out from the printer 61 depends on the credit inquiry andcan be handed in to the consumer, so it is able to settle the payment bycredit card for delivered merchandise.

Moreover, the printer 61 can print the method of payment on the receiptwhen the method of payment among a lump-sum payment, installment planpayment, revolving plan payment is chosen and inputted by the keyboard51, therefore it is able to settle the payment by either method ofpayment.

Moreover, the printer 61 can print out number of the payment on thereceipt when installment plan payment or revolving plan payment ischosen, therefore consumer can confirm the number of payment.

Moreover, when the control unit 55 performs credit inquiry based on thecredit inquiry information stored at the hard disk 54 including blacklist listing unaccepted credit card numbers, whether the credit cardinquiry information including the black list listing unaccepted creditcard numbers and the credit card number of the consumer matches, invalidinformation for using the card to not to accept the credit card is made,therefore it can be prevented fraudulent use by a delinquent cardholder.As a result, the consumer who ordered merchandise enjoy convenience andsecurity by using credit card to settle the payment without having cashin advance for the merchandise that will be delivered.

(4) Total Up Operation After Delivery

When the home delivery contractor presses the [mode] key on the keyboard 51, [total up] mode is indicated above [select] key as a one ofthe mode choice screen on the indication screen 95A on the display 59 inFIG. 11(A), and the same time, [choose mode] is displayed as a guidanceinformation to make choice among these items. Then, assuming that thehome delivery contractor chooses PF2 [total up] key for explanationreason.

When the home delivery contractor chooses PF2 [total up] key on thekeyboard 51, input display regarding to [total up] is shown on theindication screen 95 on the display 59 in the FIG. 11(B). The indicationscreen 95B on the display 59 in FIG. 11(B) indicates [daily total]existing above [select] key as one of total up items to make one choiceout of these items. Assuming that the home delivery contractor choosesPF2 [daily total] at that time for the explanation of this system.

In case the home delivery contractor presses the PF2 key on the keyboard51, input display regarding to [daily total] is indicated on theindication screen 95C on the display 59 in FIG. 11(C).

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(C), as guidance information, [pressessettlement key] is indicated to make a choice [daily total]. When thehome delivery contractor input [settlement] key on the keyboard 51, thecontrol unit 55 performs daily total operation.

Thus, the control unit 55 performs reading stored settlement informationin due order out of the hard disk 54, adding up total number and totalamount money of each a lump-sum payment, installment plan payment, andrevolving payment as a daily total list regarding to plural consumer whoused credit card to settle the payment for the merchandise, and printingthe daily list 97 out of the printer 61.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the daily total list 97 I sprinted outof the printer 61. Especially, the daily total list 97 is printed thatadding up total number and total amount money separated by the method ofpayment of each a lump-sum payment, installment plan payment, andrevolving payment, and therefore, it is able to check the sales of theday referring to the daily total list.

(5) Sequence After Completing Delivery

After completing delivery, after the truck arriving at the home deliveryservice shop B, the communication terminal 23 at the home deliveryservice shop and the portable card reader device 23 will be connectedthrough the communication cable 25. In the sequence S70, sendingtransferring request to the communication terminal 23 in order totransfer settlement information stored at the hard disk 54 at theconcerned portable card reader device 22.

The communication terminal 23, that receives transferring request fromthe concerned portable card reader 22, sends confirmation information tothe concerned portable card reader device 22.

In the sequence S80, the portable card reader device 22, that receivesconfirmation information from the communication terminal 23, transferssettlement information stored at the hard disk 54 to the communicationterminal 23. Then, the concerned portable card reader device 22 deletessettlement information stored at the hard disk 54 after transferringsettlement information to the communication terminal 23. Therefore, thecredit card number being temporally stored at the hard disk 54 isdeleted, and it is possible to prevent leakage of the important personalinformation such as credit card number of the consumer.

As a result, the hard disk (not shown) at the communication terminal 23stores terminal identification number, method of payment, tracing code,the amount money for merchandise, merchandise classification, creditcard number, and like forming into a batch of terminal collectedinformation regarding to the settlement information of the merchandisewhich delivered.

In this way, in the portable card reader device 22 delete the settlementinformation stored at the hard disk 54 after transferring the settlementinformation stored at the hard disk 54 to the communication terminal 23,and it is possible to prevent leakage of the important personalinformation such as credit card number of the consumer.

(6) Transferring Sequence of Settlement Information

In the sequence S90, in order to transfer the settlement informationregarding to the freight to the home delivery management server 39 atthe home delivery contractor, the communication terminal 23 sendstransferring request to the home delivery management server 39 at thehome delivery contractor through the communication line 35. The homedelivery management server 39 at the home delivery contractor receivingthe settlement request from the communication terminal 23, and send theconfirmation information to the communication terminal 23.

In the sequence S100, the communication terminal 23 receiving theconfirmation information from the home delivery management server 39 atthe home delivery contractor transfers the settlement information storedat hard disk (not shown) at the communication terminal 23 to the homedelivery management server 39.

As a result, the storage unit 87 at the home delivery management server39 stores terminal identification number, method of payment, tracingcode, the amount money for merchandise, merchandise classification,credit card number, and like forming into a batch of terminal collectedinformation regarding to the settlement information of the merchandisewhich delivered.

Moreover, in the sequence S110, in order to transfer the settlementinformation regarding to the freight to the settlement server 37 at thecredit card company, the communication terminal 23 sends transferringrequest to the settlement server 37 at the credit card company throughthe communication line 35.

The settlement server 37 at the credit card company receiving thesettlement request from the communication terminal 23, and send theconfirmation information to the communication terminal 23.

In the sequence S120, communication terminal 23 receiving theconfirmation information from the settlement server 37 at the creditcard company transfers the settlement information stored at hard disk(not shown) at the communication terminal 23 to the settlement server 37at the credit card company.

As a result, the memory unit 73 at to the settlement server 37 storesterminal identification number, method of payment, tracing code, theamount money for merchandise, merchandise classification, credit cardnumber, and like forming into a batch of terminal collected informationregarding to the settlement information of the merchandise whichdelivered within delivery area of home delivery shop B.

Accordingly, the settlement server 37 at the credit card company canperforms extracting the consumer who holds the credit card based in thesettlement information including credit card number, specifying amountmoney of the installment plan or revolving plan every month and chargingthe directly to financial institution that the consumer makes a contractbased on the amount money of the merchandise and method of the payment.

Moreover, the home delivery management server 39 at the home deliverycontractor can performs checking whether the merchandise is delivered tothe consumer based on the settlement information including tracing code,making billing information to charge the delivery commission for creditcard company, and sending it to the settlement server 37 at the creditcard company.

In this way, when the merchandise is handed and to the consumer andpayment is settled, the portable card reader device 22 can performsstoring credit inquiry and freight information regarding to plurality ofconsumers who exist within certain delivery area as a settlementinformation at the hard disk 54, sending the stored settlementinformation to the communication terminal 23 at the home deliveryservice shop, and which transferring received settlement information,that is from the portable card reader device 22, to the settlementserver 37 at the credit card company and the home delivery managementserver 39 at the home delivery contractor through the communication line35, then it is possible to extract the consumer, who is holding thiscredit card, based on the settlement information including credit cardnumber at the settlement server 37 at the credit card company, and it ispossible to charge the amount for the installment plan payment everymonth or set amount for the revolving payment to the financial instituteaccount that the consumer has a contract. Moreover, it is possible tocheck whether the freight reaches to the consumer based on the tracingcode included at settlement information at the home delivery managementserver 39 at the home delivery contractor, and more, billing informationfor charging delivery fee is made from settlement information and sendto the settlement server 37 at the credit card company.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow. As shown in FIG. 13, this shows a business relationship between aconsumer 3, a home delivery contractor 4, a seller 5, and credit cardcompany 6 that issued the credit card for the settlement when consumerbuy a merchandise on the Internet shopping and settle the payment by thecredit card.

When the consumer 3 make an order, the seller 5 make a request (by anetwork) that the home delivery contractor 4 to deliver the orderedmerchandise to the consumer 3. The delivery man 1 of the home deliverycontractor carries portable card reader device 2, and delivers theordered merchandise to the consumer 3. The delivery man 1 of the homedelivery contractor sweeps the credit card of the consumer to theportable card reader device 2 and read the card information. The readcredit card information and like are sent from the portable card reader2 to the home delivery management server 4 at home delivery contractorthrough a wireless communication line 8 (charged by the weight?). Theread credit card information and like are sent from the home deliverymanagement server 4 at home delivery contractor to the settlement server6 at the credit card company through an exclusive communication line 7.This home delivery management server covers all over the country. Thecredit inquiry information is sent from the settlement server 6 at thecredit card company to the portable card reader 2 through both theexclusive communication line 7 and the wireless communication line 8.When the credit inquiry information (an invalid credit card numbers) isvalid (Okay to use: the credit card number for the settlement and theinvalid credit card number doesn't match) for the credit card for thesettlement, the settlement procedure goes on a next step. The money flowof the credit card settlement procedure is as follows.

First, the seller 5 receives (by the network) the amount money for themerchandise from the home delivery contractor. On the other hand, homedelivery contractor 4 receives (by the network) merchandise deliveryservice charge (shipping charge) from the seller 5. At that time, theprocedure that the home delivery contractor 4 receives delivery chargefrom the seller 5 is not necessary when they have a contract to chargethe amount that subtracted delivery charge from amount money for themerchandise between home delivery contractor 4 and the seller 5.

Next, the amount money for the merchandise is charged to bank accountand like of consumer on the specified date according to paymentregulation of the credit card company 6. Then the home deliverycontractor 4 receives the charged money for the merchandise from creditcard company. The settlement procedure is done like this.

Additionally, amount money for merchandise may contains eitherconsumption tax or not, and either delivery charge or not.

The detail of procedure described above will be described below withreference of the FIG. 14˜FIG. 17.

As shown in FIG. 15, the portable credit reader device 2 is composed ofan IC card I/F (interface) unit 45, a card reader 47, a keyboard 51, amemory unit 53, a control unit 55, a wireless communication I/F unit 19,a display 59, and a printer 61.

An IC card used for electronic money can be connected to the IC card I/Funit 45. The card reader 47 reads magnetic information recorded on acredit card, such as a card number, expiration date, the name of thecredit card company and like. The keyboard 51 inputs text information.The memory unit 53 performs storing in advance terminal number unique toeach portable reader device 22, information inputted by the keyboard 51,and information received through wireless communication line 8. Also,the memory unit 53 includes an internal RAM for storing control data.

The control unit 55 includes an internal timer for clocking date andhour, and controls the respective units provided in the portable cardreader device. The wireless communication I/F unit 19 performscommunication of information with the home delivery management server 4through the wireless communication line 8. The display 59 displaysinputted contents and messages. The printer 61 prints a receipt uponcompletion of settlement by card.

Then, a control program is read out the memory unit 53 into the controlunit 55 by turning on a power switch (not shown) provided on theportable card reader device 2, and operation guidance screen isdisplayed on the display 59. Accordingly, the home delivery contractorswipes a credit card through a credit card reader 47 to read the creditcard data out, and the money amount for the merchandise representing theprice for the merchandise, the merchandise identification number,tracing code, and method of payment are inputted with the keyboard 51.

Thereafter, the terminal identification number of the portable cardreader device being store in the memory unit 53 in advance read out, andcredit card data such as the credit card number, the expiration date,and the money amount for the merchandise, the merchandise classificationnumber, the tracing code, and the authentication number are formed intoa batch of terminal collected information, and then the terminalcollected information is transmitted from the wireless communication I/Funit 19 to the home delivery management server 4.

When credit card inquiry information has been made based on in advanceinstalled plural credit card inquiry information by portable card readerdevice 2 through the wireless communication line 8, printer 61 achievesthe function of printing a receipt with the tracing code of merchandise,the credit card company, the money amount for the merchandise, method ofpayment, and number of payment.

Next, the composition of the keyboard 51 on the portable card readerdevice 2 is the same as the composition in FIG. 3 that is explained forthe first embodiment of the invention; therefore the function ofkeyboard is not need to explain again. Also, the settlement server 13 atthe credit card company composed of the same as the settlement server 37in FIG. 4 for the first embodiment of the invention, and the homedelivery management server 13 composed of the same as the home deliverymanagement server 39 in the FIG. 5 for the first embodiment of theinvention.

However, the storage unit 12 at the home delivery management server 12is different from the one explained in FIG. 6 for the first embodimentof the invention, and it is shown as FIG. 17.

The second embodiment of the present invention credit card settlementsystem will be described below.

(1) Preparation for the Delivery

Home delivery service contractor needs to make contracts with pluralcredit card companies for a membership in advance. Also, home deliverycontractor need to make merchandise price collection consignmentcontract for home delivery contracts with corporative or private sellersfor surrogate money collection business for merchandise.

At that time, the home delivery contractor registers the necessaryinformation such as address of the merchandise seller (sender),telephone number, account number to be paid the amount money for themerchandise and like with the home delivery management server and likeas a data, and assign customer (seller) number to each merchandiseseller. Thus, when the customer number is known, the informationregarding to the merchandise can de grasped.

For example, when the consumer orders specific merchandise that he/shewants to purchase to the merchandise seller, the merchandise seller askshome delivery service contract that made a contract for the merchandiseprice collection consignment to deliver the ordered merchandise to thehome of consumer.

When the home delivery contractor receives the delivery order, thecontractor stick the slip that is printed receiver address, receivername, sender address, sender name, tracing code and like, and thetracing code and customer number of sender (merchandise seller) arestored at the home delivery management server and like.

(2) Portable Card Reader Device Performance on Delivery

When the delivery man of the home delivery contractor delivers themerchandise, a credit card that the consumer holding is handed to thedelivery man. The delivery man of the home delivery contractor swept thecredit card to the portable card reader device, and a credit cardinformation such as credit card company recorded on the credit card,credit card number, expiration date, and like are read by card reader,and stored at the memory unit 53 (step T10).

In the step T20, the delivery man of the home delivery contractor inputsthe merchandise classification code by the [number] key on the keyboard51, and stores it at the memory unit 53.

In the step T30, the delivery man inputs tracing code by the [number]key on the keyboard 51, and stores it as the memory unit 53.

In the step T40, delivery man inputs amount price for the merchandise bythe [number] key on the keyboard 51, and stores it as the memory unit53.

As a result, the name of the credit card company, merchandiseclassification, freight slip number showing tracing code, and price areindicated, and the same time, [press set key] is indicated as guidanceinformation on the indication screen on the display 59.

In the step T50, when the delivery man presses the [set] key on thekeyboard 51, method of the payment such as a lump-sum payment, revolvingpayment, installment plan payment, bonus month payment, bonus month andinstallment plan payment will be displayed above the [select] key on thedisplay 59, and the same time, guidance information [choose the methodof the payment] will be indicated to make consumer choose method ofpayment from payment plans. Then, assuming that the home deliverycontractor asks consumer the method of the payment and the consumerchooses the choice of method of the payment.

In the step T60, one of the method of the payment chosen on the display59 indicating is inputted by choosing [select] key on the keyboard 51.For instance, corresponding the request of the consumer, when the homedelivery contractor presses the PF3 [installment plan payment], theprocedure of the inputting the data is the same as above in explanationfor the first embodiment of the present invention.

The inputted method of payment and the amount price for the merchandiselike this is stored at the memory unit 53.

When the home delivery contractor inputs [settlement] key on thekeyboard 51 after completing inputting all data, go on the next stepT70.

In the step T70, read credit card information is sent to the settlementserver 13 through the home delivery management server 12, and obtain thecredit card inquiry information of the said credit card. The creditinquiry at that time is whether this credit card is valid (able tosettle) or invalid (unable to settle). Sequence S1, S2, S3, and S4 showthe flow of this.

In the sequence S1, the credit card information read by the portablecard reader device 11 is sent to the home delivery management server 12through the wireless communication line 8. In the sequence S2, alreadyread credit card information sent to the home delivery management server12 is sent directly to the settlement server 13 at the credit cardcompany through exclusive communication line 7. At that time, the readinformation is not left at the home delivery management server 12. Thesettlement server 13 extracts corresponding credit inquiry. In thesequence S3, the credit inquiry is sent to the home delivery managementserver 12 through the exclusive communication line 7.

In the sequence S4, the credit inquiry sent to the home deliverymanagement sever 12 us sent to the portable card reader device 11 fromthe home delivery management server 12 through the wirelesscommunication line 8. The credit card inquiry information is not left atthe home delivery management server 12 as well.

Then, the credit card is valid to settle, in the step T90, the controlunit 55 controls the temporally stored information such as tracing code,method of payment, the amount money for merchandise, merchandiseclassification, credit card company, credit card number, expiration datethe date of using the credit card and like forming into a batch ofterminal collected information and stores to the memory unit 53 again.

In the step T100, the control unit 55 read the above said settlementinformation out from the memory unit 53, and sends it to the settlementserver 13 through the home delivery management server 12. The sequenceS5 and S6 show this flow. In the sequence S5, method of payment, tracingcode, the amount money for merchandise, merchandise classification,credit card company, credit card number, expiration date the date ofusing the credit card and like are sent to the home delivery managementserver 12 from the portable card reader device 11 through the wirelesscommunication line 8. In the sequence S6, received information sent tothe home delivery management server 12 is sent directly to thesettlement server 8 through the exclusive communication line 7. Thesettlement information sent from the home delivery management server 12in stored at the settlement server 13 at the credit card company.

The home delivery management server 12 does not store the all settlementinformation sent by the portable card read device 11, but only storestracing code, name of the credit card company, the date using the card,merchandise classification, and the amount money for the merchandise,and deletes all other information.

Regarding to the credit card number and the expiration date, these arenot necessary for the home delivery contractor, and it is essential todeletes these information to prevent leaking information.

As explained above, corresponding tracing code and customer (sender)number are stored a the database, so extracting customer numbercorresponding tracing code of settlement information from the portablecard reader device 11 out of it, and connects with a batch of terminalcollected information such as tracing code, name of the credit cardcompany, date of using the credit card, merchandise classification,payment, the amount money for merchandise, and stores at the homedelivery management server 12.

The composition of the database is shown in FIG. 17 as a storage unit 88at home delivery management server 12.

The data stored at the storage unit 88 is organized each data such ascustomer number corresponding each tracing code, name of credit cardcompany, the date of using the credit card, merchandise classification,and the amount money for the merchandise by the tracing code as a keymaking the lead recording. In the step T110, tracing code of themerchandise, the name of the credit card company, amount price for themerchandise, method of the payment, number of the payment and like areread out and adding the date reading out of the timer as a delivery dateto make a receipt showing the merchandise is settled, and input thisreceipt information to the printer 61 to print out the receipt.

As a result, a shown in FIG. 10, a sales slip 93 is printed out of theprinter 61 as a receipt. The method of the payment, number of thepayment when installment plan payment is chosen, merchandiseclassification, slip number showing tracing code, price, signature box,and like are on this sales slip 93.

In the step T120, the settlement information stored at the memory unit53 is completely deleted and complete performance. The printed receiptis torn from the printer 61 and handed into the consumer by the homedelivery contractor. As explained, after each performance to print outthe receipt, the personal information such as the credit cardinformation is not left at the portable card reader device 2 to preventleaking information and also, the memory capacity inside of the portablecard reader could be small.

On the other hand, when the credit inquiry sent by the settlement server13 means invalid, go to step T130 from step T80, and the control unit 55read message information [this credit card company is unavailable] outof the memory unit 53 for example, and displays error indication on thedisplay 59. At the same time, the control unit 55 deletes temporallystored information such as credit card number of the consumer,expiration date, and like at the internal RAM at the memory unit 53, andinputted information by the keyboard 51, and complete the performance.

(3) The Operation After Completing Delivery

The settlement by the card is approved, in the sequence S7, themerchandise seller receives amount money for the merchandise from thehome delivery contractor. The way to credit the amount money for themerchandise is based on the data file that is made at the storage unit88 at the home delivery management server 12 shown in the FIG. 17. Thedata stored amount money for the merchandise with customer (sender)number, so it is able to find address, name, and bank account number ofsender by the customer number referring other database, and it ispossible to credit the amount money for the merchandise. Also, it isuseful to check the date of using the credit card and like later on.

Next, in the sequence S8, the merchandise seller credits the merchandisehome delivery (shipping charge) to the home delivery contractor.

At that time, as described in the explanation for the FIG. 13, theprocedure that the home delivery contractor receives delivery chargefrom the seller, that is sequences S8, is not necessary when they have acontract to charge the amount that subtracted delivery charge fromamount money for the merchandise between home delivery contractor andthe seller.

In the sequence S9, all settlement centering the home deliverycontractor is completed when the credit card company credits amount forthe merchandise to the home delivery contractor.

1. A portable card reader device carried by home delivery contractor,who is responsible to deliver merchandise to the consumer located incertain designated delivery area is means for including settling theamount of money of the merchandise characterized; memorizing both creditinquiry information and freight information of plurality of consumerswithin above said designated delivery area; reading information out of asettlement card for use in settlement by the consumer upon delivery ofthe merchandise to the consumer, inputting method of payment for themerchandise; performing a credit inquiry based on the above saidmemorized credit card inquiry information and by the above said readinformation out of a settlement card; and settling the amount of thepayment regarding to the freight information when the result of thesettlement credit card inquiry is valid.
 2. The portable card readerdevice of claim 1, wherein it is means for printing a receipt showing asettlement of amount money for merchandise is completed based oncorresponding above said credit inquiry.
 3. The portable card readerdevice of claim 2, wherein it is means for printing the payment on thereceipt when one of the method of a payment of a lump-sum payment,installment plan payment, revolving payment is chosen and inputted. 4.The portable card reader device of claim 3, wherein it is means forprinting the number of a payment on the receipt when printinginstallment plan payment or revolving payment is chosen as method of thepayment.
 5. The portable card reader device of claim 2, wherein it ismeans for printing the total number and total amount of money of each alump-sum payment, installment plan payment, and revolving payment as athe daily list regarding to plurality of consumers who using the creditcard.
 6. The portable card reader device of claim 1, wherein it makesthe invalid credit card information when a credit card number of theconsumer matches a credit card number in a black list based on the abovesaid credit card inquiry means, stored at said stored means, includingthe black list of plurality of credit card number of consumer that isnot valid for settlement.
 7. A settling method for performing settlementof merchandise by the portable card reader device, wherein it receivescredit card inquiry regarding to plurality of consumers who exist withincertain delivery area from each the settlement server at the credit cardcompany, that memorizing credit inquiry information of plural ofconsumer and sending credit card inquiry when it is necessary, homedelivery management server, that stores freight information of puerilityof freight, at the home delivery contractor to send freight informationwhen it is necessary, settlement server of credit card company at homedelivery service shop through a wireless communication line, thecommunication terminal that receiving freight information regarding tothe above said plurality of the consumer sent from the home deliverymanagement server at the home delivery contractor through wirelesscommunication line, it receives and stores credit card inquiry andfreight information regarding to plurality of consumers who exist withincertain delivery area from above said communication terminal, it readscredit card information on the settlement credit card for settlement,and inputs the method of the payment when the merchandise is handed tothe consumer, it performs settlement based on the stored credit cardinquiry of the plurality of consumers and read out credit cardinformation for settlement, settle the amount money for the merchandiseincluded in the freight information when the settlement information isvalid as a credit card inquiry result.
 8. The pay-by card system being asettling system for performing settlement of merchandise of claim 7,wherein the portable card reader device performs storing credit cardinquiry information and freight information regarding to a consumer as asettlement information when the above said merchandise is handed to theconsumer and the settlement of the merchandise completed, and sendingstored settlement information to the above said communication terminal,and the communication terminal performs transferring received settlementinformation from the portable card reader device to settlement server ofthe credit card company and home delivery management server of the homedelivery contractor through the communication line.
 9. The pay-by cardsystem being a settling system for performing settlement of merchandiseof claim 8, wherein the portable card reader device deletes settlementinformation stored by above said settlement information storing meansafter sending the settlement information that is stored by above saidsettlement information storing means to the above said communicationterminal.
 10. A pay-by card system being a settling system forperforming settlement of merchandise, wherein it performs connecting aportable card reader device that can read a card information of a creditcard company with home delivery management server at home deliverycontractor by wireless communication line, sending credit cardinformation read out of portable card reader device to settle payment bycredit card to the settlement server of the credit card companyregarding to the pay-by card system being a settling system forperforming settlement of merchandise that connected home deliverymanagement server with settlement server at the credit card companystoring credit card inquiry information, obtaining credit card inquirycorresponding to the credit card information from the settlement serverat the credit card company by the portable card reader device, andperforming settlement of merchandise when the credit card is valid basedon the above said credit card inquiry.